Nunn, Thomas, Etc. Join Cast of ABC's 'Raisin' Movie

More stars have joined ABC's upcoming television version of Lorraine Hansbury's grounbreaking 1959 play A Raisin in the Sun.

Bill Nunn, who appeared in the hit 2004 revival, will once again appear as Bobo, while Ron Cephas Jones (Gem of the Ocean) will appear as Willy and Sean Patrick Thomas (the films The Fountain, Save the Last Dance) will be seen as George.  Justin Martin (The Lion King) and David Olewoyo (the film The Last King of Scotland) have also joined the film's cast--as Travis and Asagai, respectively.

They join the previously announced John Stamos as Carl Linder, as well as Sean "P. Diddy" Combs as Walter Younger, />Phylicia Rashad as his mother Lena, />Audra McDonald as his wife Ruth and />Sanaa Lathan as his sister Beneatha.  The latter four performers also appeared in the Broadway revival.

Raisin in the Sun "tells the story of a family living and struggling on Chicago's South Side in the 1950s. It is a fiercely moving portrait of people whose hopes and dreams are constantly deferred. The Washington Post hails it as 'one of a handful of great American plays – it belongs in the inner circle, along with Death of a Salesman, Long Day's Journey Into Night and The Glass Menagerie,'" stated earlier press notes on the TV film, which will be directed by Kenny Leon (who helmed the revival), with Paris Qualles adapting Hansbury's play.

Stamos has appeared on Broadway in the revivals of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Cabaret and Nine.  The actor, who shot to fame as "Full House"'s suave Uncle Jesse, currently appears on "ER."  His other TV and film credits include "Jake in Progress," "Friends," "Thieves," Femme Fatale and Party Monster.  He will next star in the upcoming A&E movie "Wedding Wars."

"A Raisin in the Sun" will begin shooting soon in Toronto.  It will be produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, whose string of hits includes Chicago, "Me and My Shadows," and the TV adaptations of "Cinderella" and "Gypsy."  They are also the producers of the upcoming Hairspray movie.